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Oil sight glass

55K views 56 replies 22 participants last post by  eclektq 
#1 · (Edited)
I have a general question about the oil sight glass on the 09 zx6r. Reason I ask is because if I check it while its running right after start-up oil level is between lines. I did also let it idle about a minute then checked oil level right after I stopped motor and oil sight glass was full. Seems so far that oil sight glass is completely full when bike is not running & held level. I must not be doing something right?
 
#2 ·
You're over full, check it with the bike off. You should be at the top line with the bike off. When you run it the oil will start to cycle and make it look like it's in the line.
 
#3 ·
When your guys bike is cold and not been running. If it's on the side stand I can barely see the oil in the sight glass. When I stand it up level the sight glass is filled completely. Again this is when the bike is cold and has not been ran. Is everyone's 09 zx6r like that too?
 
#4 ·
lol wow...oil sight glasses have been the same since bikes were made buddy. Your 09 doesn't have some new special sight glass that no one else has...There is a thing called your user manual and google.
 
#6 ·
Oil level should be checked while the bike is straight up and down and after it has sat (not running) for some time. When you run the bike the oil is circulating through the motor, you wanna check it after it has all settled back to the bottom. Don't overfill with oil cuz then you will start blowing it up into your airbox... which is no bueno!
 
#20 ·
Let me clarify something. I do understand that the bike should be warmed up properally, then allowed to cool for 3-5 minutes b4 you can get an accurate reading of the oil level in the sight glass. Of course the bike must be held level as well.
are you kidding us??? and you're riding a supersport? perhaps you should get something smaller before you get hurt?

anyway, you do NOT need to warm the bike up and then let it cool for any period of time before you can get a "proper" reading from the sight glass. you can do this while the bike is completely cold. on a level surface and from the right side of the bike, while it's on its side stand, grab the front brake and clip-on and tip the bike so it's upright (as it would be if it were moving). the oil level should be between the hash marks that are next to the sight glass. if oil is completely filling the glass, you have TOO MUCH OIL. carefully drain some out. if it's below the hash marks or not in the sight glass at all, you don't have enough oil. put some more in. it's really that simple. whoever told you that oil filling the entire sight glass is normal should put down the glass pipe.



s3aturnr
 
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#12 ·
He's right, but only if the bike is level, and the bike is full of oil enough to register.
 
#18 ·
Bike is cold - tell someone to sit on it and check to see if the oil falls between the lines. Or grab the passenger peg and handle bar and tilt it up.

My oil is a tad much, maybe about .1 liter and it hits the top line, but barely or doesn't go over it. Bike runs fine and doesn't foam up the oil.
 
#19 ·
I usually put mine on the rear stand...but not totally up on it. Just enough to where the rear stand is holding the bike up, but isnt holding the back wheel off the ground...makes it a lot easier to hold and you know its perfectly level.
-Cody
 
#23 ·
Thanks, now I am getting concerned. When bike is cold and I check oil sight glass while holding level, the glass is indeed full. I told my salesman and he wants me to bring in the bike. It has 90 miles on it w/ this incorrect (too much) oil amount. Will this cause damage to the new motor?
 
#26 · (Edited)
I just spoke to my salesman about the sight glass showing completely full when bike is cold. He also thought that was strange, but he asked his lead technician and was told that it can be very difficult to accurately get a oil level reading from the sight glass on the 2009 ZX6R. He said I should bring it in.:eek:
 
#27 ·
Just loosen the oil drain bolt on the bottom of your motor and let out a little bit at a time until the level is right... Your motor will be fine! If you were really ringing the bike out you might have had some other issues but I'm guessing you haven't done that :)
 
#31 ·
quick update: last night I checked the oil level while bike was cold and held level. If I put bike to where I think it is level the glass is almost to completely full. If I tilt bike just a hair to left the oil level comes to the upper oil line. Maybe its not overfilled then?
 
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